Chester Zoo Chester Zoo Discussion and questions 2023
- Thread starter bongorob
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Visited the zoo yesterday (22nd April) and stayed 10-5. Had an amazing day out. Then visited today (23rd April) and just stayed 10.30-2, didn’t have to pay as we only watched the elephants and went into the elephant house. Spent 3,1/2 hours just looking at the elephants it was fascinating. Will do a full review later.
The slide between the two sides may simply be open at the moment.
The openings you could see were definitely shut
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I did the same thing on my trip a few weeks ago! I was staying nearby and properly visited on 2 days, but went to walk along the path to the zoo and see the elephants briefly and take some of it in on the evening we arrived to where we were staying. After 2 days of visiting the zoo, (once with Colchester passes, once paying for tickets), we popped into the gift shop and to see the elephants in the morning after we had left where we were staying, making me able to say that I saw the Hi-Way herd 4 days in a row! In fairness, I was able to understand a lot about the dynamics and relationships within Chester's Asian Elephant herd from this experience, and got to talk to a keeper on that last morning too.
Great! I must say Maya and Anjan have a great bond, even though i could tell she was fed up with him sometimes!
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I have to say that is one thing I didn't notice, but one thing I did notice about Maya was her staying inside a bit longer than the others most days I saw them, but probably makes sense due to her age and how laid back she can be. I also noticed the bond between Sundara, Indali and Riva (naturally, but especially between the former two), Anjan playing with Riva as well as Indali, Maya interacting with the calves, and Aung Bo interacting with Riva. I also saw some mating between Aung Bo and Sundara, and was told this had been going on for the past few days before and at the time of my visit. I have many photos of interactions between the herd (I can only assume more than any other species) and I will probably be posting some of these in the gallery soon.
I also noticed that when either Sundara or Maya (couldn’t tell which) was locked inside, Aung Bo was outside with the youngsters, and when Sundara or Maya came out, Aung Bo was locked in the bull paddock. Anyone know why?
Geomitra coronula, the 4th of the species recently rediscovered on Deserta Grande
Thanks Swampy
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
I would assume Maya, come to think of it not sure I saw her and Aung Bo out in the main paddock at the same time, so maybe she was locked inside when I saw her inside, but could have been Sundara if there was incident between them in mating or something. I would recommend you try and find and look at photos of Maya and Sundara on here or Petra Prager elephant website if you remember what the separated cow looked like to compare if you remember because Sundara and Maya should be easy to tell apart when you know what they both look like- Maya especially is a very distinct individual.
After reading signs, i could tell the difference between them but i saw this when i didn’t know. If i had to hazard a guess, i think the one i saw inside was Sundara.
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
Well at least you will know for next time! As I said with my reasons above if I had to make an assumption without seeing the individual Maya would be most likely, as I said I definitely saw Aung Bo and Sundara out together multiple times and mating and on the other hand I don't think I remember distinctly seeing Aung Bo and Maya outside at the same time, and saw Maya inside quite often. Obviously Maya will probably also be a little bit distanced from the herd (naturally) compared to the other cows given she is not related to the Hi-Ways, and it would be weird separating Sundara from her daughters yet having Aung Bo in with them. Though as I said it could be her if there was an incident while mating or something similar. Maybe someone else could find out who it was and why on their next visit.
hari Jones
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When I was last there a keeper told me that maya and Aung bo are kept separated and are rotated outdoors because when I was there in the morning Aung was out with sundara and the calves and maya was inside and when I went back in the afternoon Aung was in the bull pen and maya was out with the rest of the herd
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
That makes sense, but weird I didn't manage to put the pieces together after seeing the herd 4 days straight. Did the keeper mention any specific reason why the two are kept separated? Come to think of it, your experience pretty much perfectly replicates mine so I guess there's a daily routine to it.
hari Jones
Well-Known Member
Yes she did it was due to tension between the pair
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
Thanks, do you know if has been a long term thing or have they only been separated for the last few months/years?
hari Jones
Well-Known Member
Only in the last few months I think
It will definitely be a recent thing, I definitely saw the two of them together last year.
Speaking of which... presumably, Aung Bo is going to be moved along at some point in the near future (before Indali is old enough to breed) to avoid inbreeding - that or, if the cows are getting an expanded paddock, they get a younger bull.